Assembly for Clamping and Grounding Objects

An assembly comprising:

• a first solar panel mounting frame and a second solar panel mounting frame, wherein each of the first solar panel mounting frame and the second solar panel mounting frame comprises an elongated channel for receiving a solar panel;
• a mounting rail, wherein the mounting rail comprises an upwardly-open channel formed therein;
• and
• a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly comprising:
• a washer comprising:
• a body,
• a central opening passing through the body,
• a pair of flanges positioned on opposing sides of the body, and
• at least one tooth structure extending downward from the flanges, wherein the at least one tooth structure is configured to penetrate a top surface of at least one of the first and second solar panel mounting frames;
• an internally threaded nut;
• and
• a fastener comprising:
• a threaded shank configured to pass through the central opening of the washer and engage with the internal threads of the nut, and
• an enlarged end positioned on a bottom portion of the fastener, wherein the enlarged end comprises a plurality of raised ridges extending across a top surface of the enlarged end, wherein the plurality of raised ridges are configured to at least partially penetrate at least a surface layer of the channel formed in the mounting rail when the nut is tightened.

A method of coupling a pair of solar panel frames to a mounting rail, the method comprising:

• providing a first solar panel frame and a second solar panel frame;
• providing a mounting rail, wherein the mounting rail comprises an upwardly-open channel formed therein;
• providing at least one clamp assembly, the at least one clamp assembly comprising:
• a washer comprising:
• a body,
• a central opening passing through the body,
• a pair of flanges positioned on opposing sides of the body, and
• at least one tooth structure extending downward from the flanges;
• a nut;
• and
• a fastener comprising:
• a threaded shank configured to pass through the central opening of the washer and engage with the nut, and
• an enlarged end positioned on a bottom portion of the fastener, wherein the enlarged end comprises a plurality of raised ridges extending across a top surface of the enlarged end;
• positioning the enlarged end of the fastener of the at least one clamp assembly within the upwardly-open channel of the mounting rail;
• positioning the flanges of the washer of the at least one clamp assembly over respective top surfaces of each of the first solar panel frame and the second solar panel frame;
• and
• tightening the fastener of the at least one clamp assembly such that the first solar panel frame and the second solar panel frame are securely coupled to the mounting rail, the at least one tooth structure extending downward from the flanges at least partially penetrates the respective top surfaces of each of the first solar panel frame and the second solar panel frame, and the plurality of raised ridges of the enlarged end of the fastener at least partially penetrate an interior surface of the upwardly-open channel of the mounting rail.